The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has launched a dedicated Yellow Card reporting site for healthcare products that are used in Coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment to be easily reported: coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Healthcare professionals are asked to report all suspected side effects to medicines or medical device adverse incidents related to COVID-19 treatment. This also includes medicines that patients and healthcare professionals are using off-label to treat COVID-19. Reporting for clinical trials should be in line with the trial protocols.

Any healthcare product used in the treatment of COVID-19 can be reported, this includes medical devices such as ventilators and respiratory support devices, testing kits, certain protective personal equipment that are classified as medical devices, as well as medicines that are being used in COVID-19 treatment. For more information on what to report please go to: coronavirus-yellowcard.mhra.gov.uk.

Reporting will enable the MHRA to rapidly identify new and emerging side effects and medical device issues which may not have been previously known about, including diagnostic tests for COVID-19. This includes any medicines taken by patients to manage long-term, or pre-existing conditions that may influence the disease or have any potential interactions. The MHRA is closely monitoring any new or emerging safety signals in relation to medicines and medical devices used in patients with COVID-19.

In the letter for healthcare professionals, patients and carers the MHRA says:

‘During the pandemic, Yellow Card reporting for suspected side effects has decreased, especially from healthcare professionals. The Yellow Card scheme continues to operate as usual and safety concerns should still be reported to the MHRA. Further information on Yellow Card reporting during the pandemic can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-yellow-card-scheme-guidance-for-healthcare-professionals.

We appreciate that healthcare professionals are under pressure at this challenging time, but reporting remains essential both to understand the safety of existing medicines and medical devices used in treating COVID-19, and to identify new safety issues. Thank you for your support.’